The OpenStudio plugin is a geometry editor for EnergyPlus, the Whole Building Energy Simulation Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. This free, open source plugin (currently only available for Windows) enables Google SketchUp users to create building geometry from scratch, open and edit existing EnergyPlus input files, or run EnergyPlus and view the results, all without ever leaving SketchUp. For more information and to download the plugin, visit their website.

Also, keep an eye out for a joint SketchUp and EnergyPlus training session at this year's AIA Conference (American Institute of Architects) in San Francisco. If you're a developer and would like to contribute to this open source project, please visit the OpenStudio SourceForge website.